Wedding Party
Alli Pepper
Bridesmaid
This lady has known me since I was 4 when we started kindergarten together. Besides fulfilling the many requirements of elementary school friendship (being in the same class, both having pet rabbits, and our mom’s were willing to let us hang out), Alli is the kind of friend that doesn’t let time or distance interfere. No matter how long it’s been since I last reached out, she’s always right there for me. Her genuineness, sharp wit, and love of doing whatever the hell she wants, has meant I’ve had someone to look up to my whole life. Fun fact: I learned (ok, attempted to learn) how to play both blackjack and poker at her 9th birthday party (Thanks, Jack! I might need another lesson).
Rachel Cole
Bridesmaid
I first met Rachel when I was 17 and moved into our dorm room. We were paired together because we planned to major in neuroscience. Knox couldn’t have found a better pairing with such little information. We have seen each other through major changes and life choices that have gotten us to the places and people we are with today. Despite the fact that she lives in Iowa City, we have managed to see each other multiple times are year since graduation. Not sure where I would be without her. Fun fact: I got Rachel to try dancing for the first time during college. I promise, she will be the best dancer out on dance floor--her swing moves and rhythm are unparalleled!
Clara Volker
Bridesmaid
Clara and I met during our first college class. When we pledged the same sorority, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to shake her. One of the most loyal woman I ever met, she is a lifelong friend who should really have a coffee table book called "Things That Clara Said". If you want to see in impressive purse collection, learn a random historical fact about Iowa or Disney, Clara is your lady. Fun fact: Clara was my running buddy in college--together we would get up at 6am to go run 6+miles on a treadmill while we were training for our first half marathon. Since then she has run nearly every single Disney race (in multiple countries).
Stephanie Sorensen
Bridesmaid
Steph came to Knox our sophomore year. She rapidly became a friend I couldn’t go a day without talking to. She is kind, generous, motivated and is about to graduate from UChicago's Booth School of Business (!!!). Roommates our junior and senior year of college, Steph and I spent a ton of time together studying, doing Delta things, dancing, watching a lot of Say Yes to the Dress and Sabrina the Teenage Witch and eating a ton of cookie dough from the C-Store. Despite only knowing her couple of years in college, there are very few memories that don't involve her. Fun fact: Steph has been working full time while getting her MBA from UChicago Booth, becoming a Pound instructor, and being the Chicago St. Jude volunteer of the year (not joking--she actually is). She is amazing.
Katharine Rug
Bridesmaid
I really got to know Kate my senior year at Knox. She joined Delta and suddenly was everywhere in my life. The year after I graduated, I worked in Galesburg while she completed her senior year. She became my go to person. She helped me figure out who I was after graduation. Ben and I started dating (partially due to her encouragement) that year and Kate, Vince (her husband), Ben and I became lifelong friends. Fun fact: Kate and Ben are actually the same person.
Jackson Wetherbee
Groomsman
Jackson, in case the last name didn't give it away, is my much-better-at-golf younger brother. Fun fact: if it weren't for Jackson, Emma and I might never have got together. Jackson played a key role in helping me procure my first date with Emma on Valentine's Day 2013. It was a "memorable" date for many reasons, namely because it never happened! Emma's unfortunate timing led to Ben enjoying "A Good Day to Die Hard" solo at the Galesburg movie theater.
Nate Tomlinson
Groomsman
Nate is my oldest friend and although we never attended the same school in Australia we became close friends through our mutual love for the game of basketball. Meeting in first grade, Nate's mum coached our youth basketball team, the Sylvania SuperSonics, and Nate's dad coached our Rep team for 9 years. Basketball brought us both to the United States and it's safe to say there's no family that had a bigger impact on my upbringing than the Tomlinsons.
Daniel Illingworth
Groomsman
Funnily enough, Daniel and I met in my dad's Year 7 (7th grade for my American friends) Visual Arts class at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney. There isn't anything that we weren't competitive in growing up: grades, backyard golf, the beep test, darts, pool, you name it. Despite leaving Australia at age 18, it's never mattered how much distance there is or how much time has passed, we always pick up where we left off. “Ready for a big one, Dan?” Haha.
Joe Kozak
Groomsman
Joe is a man of many shoes! In fact, he probably owns more pair of J's than all of you coming to the wedding combined... Joe and I both played basketball at Knox College, and were three-year roommates during that span. Joe is a friend who’s always had my back, whether it be on the court or in life. Look forward to patented dance moves from Joe late into the evening, including but not limited to: hands-to-knee circles, emu-like head nods, and fists to the air.
Vincent Rug
Groomsman
Thank you J-Pow and your Senior Seminar Economics course at Knox for introducing Vince and I. Paired together in a term-long group project, Vince and I couldn’t have been more wrong on our analysis and outlook for the company Netflix. However, what was born out of our very, very wrong predictions (I’ll take most of the blame on that one), was something more certain—a lifelong friendship. Whether it’s smack talking about our Fantasy Football teams, or when we’re going to see our next Cubs-Cardinals game, Vince is a friend who always seems closer than he is far away.
Emily Rude
Officiant
Emily is the big sister I never had. She was my reluctant grad school roommate who made those two years unforgettable. Since Ben and I were dating long distance for those 2 years, she spent a ton of time with both us during his many visits to Charlottesville. She is the toast master, the gift giver extraordinaire, and the listening ear that every person needs in their life. We are so lucky to count her as our friend and family.